knives and forks,
the proceedings were enlivened by many jests and flashes of wit that
continuously kept the table in a roar.

'Chuck us over another dollop of that there white stuff, Bob,' shouted
the Semi-drunk to Crass, indicating the blancmange.

Crass reached out his hand and took hold of the dish containing the
'white stuff', but instead of passing it to the Semi-drunk, he
proceeded to demolish it himself, gobbling it up quickly directly from
the dish with a spoon.

'Why, you're eating it all yerself, yer bleeder,' cried the Semi-drunk
indignantly, as soon as he realized what was happening.

'That's all right, matey,' replied Crass affably as he deposited the
empty dish on the table. 'It don't matter, there's plenty more where
it come from. Tell the landlord to bring in another lot.'

Upon being applied to, the landlord, who was assisted by his daughter,
two other young women and two young men, brought in several more lots
and so the Semi-drunk was appeased.

As for the plum-pudding--it was a fair knock-out; just like Christmas:
but as Ned Dawson and Bill Bates had drunk all the sauce before the
pudding was served, they all had to have their first helping without
any. However, as the landlord brought in another lot shortly
afterwards, that didn't matter either.

As soon as dinner was over, Crass rose to make his statement as
secretary. Thirty-seven men had paid five shillings each: that made
nine pounds five shillings. The committee had decided that the three
boys--the painters' boy, the carpenters' boy and the front shop
boy--should be allowed to come half-price: that made it nine pounds
twelve and six. In addition to paying the ordinary five-shilling
subscription, Mr Rushton had given one pound ten towards the expenses.
(Loud cheers.) And several other gentlemen had also given something
towards it. Mr Sweater, of the Cave, one pound. (Applause.) Mr
Grinder, ten shillings in addition to the five-shilling subscription.
(Applause.) Mr Lettum, ten shillings, as well as the five-shilling
subscription. (Applause.) Mr Didlum, ten shillings in addition to the
five shillings. (Cheers.) Mr Toonarf, ten shillings as well as the
five-shilling subscription. They had also written to some of the
manufacturers who supplied the firm with materials, and asked them to
give something: some of 'em had sent half a crown, some five shillings,
some hadn't answered at all, and two of 'em had written back to say